Inhaler



(No Model.)

B. MGGREGOR. INHALER.

No. 591,052. I Patented 00's. 5,1897.

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In@ 1 l BRADFORD MCGREGOR, OF COVINGTON, KENTUCKY.

INHALER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 591,052, dated October5, 1897.

Application iiled January 18, 1897. Serial No. 619,607. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known thatl, BRADFORD MCGREGOR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Covington, Kenton county, State of Kentucky, have inventedcertain 4new and useful Improvements in Air Injectors and Mixers 5" andI do declare the following to be a clear, full, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, attention being called to theaccompanying drawings, with the reference-numerals marked thereon, whichform a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for applying air, pureor medicated, to certain orifices and ducts of the human body,particularly to those mediating respiration-as, for instance, nasal andbronchial ducts.

It consists of four principal parts, of which the first is theair-compressor, which'is of a nature that an uninterrupted outflow orex? haust of air is obtained. 4 The second is a receiver and mixer whereby the air may be mixed andmore or less saturated with chemicals orIother matter having medicinal and therapeutical properties and whichmatter becomes then mixed with the air entering the device and is eX*pelled by it. y r

The third are those parts which are specifi ically fitted to permitapplication to the outer openings of the particular ducts through whichthe air is to be introducedas, for in-` stance, nostrils and mouth. fThe fourth is a cut-off device whereby the discharging air may bedirected so asto disf charge only out of certain outlets 'to entercertain openings only, being then prevented from discharging out ofother outlets.

Minor parts relating to features of construe# same with parts brokenaway. Figs. 3 and t are views of 'opposite surfaces, resulting from asection taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an under side View of themixer detached, and Fig. 6 showsin a side elevation a modifiedarrangement of the air-compressor.

9 is theair-chamber, receiving its charge alternately through one of twoair-inlets 10 from a double-acting air-compressor, which in this caseconsists of two bellows 11 11, so connected that when one receives theother discharges, so that a continuous and uninterrupted current of airleaves the outlet 12 of the air-chamber 9. l p Each of the bellows hasan inletvalve 13, and is connected by an air-conduit 14C withair-chamber 9, additional valves 15 being provided at 10, where theseconduitsenter chamber 9. These valves open and close alternately in thisway, that when valve 13 of one of the bellows closes on depression ofthe latter its corresponding discharge-valve 15 is open, so that chamber9 is always receiving air through one ofvalves 15. The swinging iiaps ofthe bellows are piv- `oted at 16, and the means whereby they areconnected to said pivots are also connected to each other or formintegral members, so that operation of one of the bellows causes alsooperation of the other, only in `.reverse order. Handles 17 are providedat the outer ends of the swinging flaps for convenient operation.

The air-outlet 12 from chamber 9 is continued upwardly in form of a tube18, leaving which it enters a larger tube 19, the upper end of which isclosed, and descends within the annular'spacefl between the two tubes.It discharges from the lower end of the outer tube 19 into Vamixing-chamber 22, which it leaves at 23, passing out through neck 24and through a lateral opening 26 therein into distributing-chamber 27 Ifthe air is to be` charged with any substance or medicine, the same,preferably in liquid form, is contained in said chamber 22, so that theair while rising through the latter passes through the solution andbecomes more or less saturated therewith. To obtain a thoroughintermingling of the air, the same is caused to spreadin leaving thelower end of tube 19, so as to discharge in jets therefrom. This isaccomplished by providing a circular iange 28 around the lower end oftube 19, from which a number of lugs 29, all of even height, projectdownwardly, resting with their lower ends upon the bottom of chamber 22,thereby keeping the lower end of tube 19 sufficiently elevated to makedischarge from it possible. These lugs are furthermore arranged in twocircular rows, the spaces of one row alternating with the lugs of theother, whereby the air while passing out between said rows of lugs iscut up and divided, as may be readily understood.

From the top of distributing-chamber 27 the air may leave throughopenings 31, each terminating on the outside in a nipple 32, upon whichthe lower end of the rubber discharge-tubes 33 may be stripped. Sincethe medicated air is to be injected, not inhaled, it is essential thatclose connection is made with the orifices receiving the charge and theends of these tubes. For such purpose two of them are provided withnozzles 34, so iitted as to entirely close the nostrils when introducedthereinto, so that when in position none of theair issuing from them mayescape.

The remaining tube, when the device is also to be used formouth-injection, is fitted with a mouthpiece 35 to be inserted betweenthe lips when the air is to be injected through the mouth. Nipples 32are so located asA to bring the tubes with nozzles 34 and the mouth'-piece in the most convenient position for use, for which purpose thosefor nozzles 34 are close together on one side, while the one for themouthpiece is on the other side about di-- of nipples 32, but so locatedthat when two of these openings register with those nipples which leadto nozzles 34 the remaining opening does not registerl with the nippleleading to the mouthpiece, so that by means of this plate, which acts asa cut-oft valve, the air,

may be directed according to whether it is to be injected into thenostrils or into the mouth. This plate projects beyond the outside ofchamber 27, carrying a pin 37 on its projecting part, which when broughtup against either one of two stops 38 indicates open communicationeither for nasal or mouth injection, while an intermediate position(indicated by a suitable mark 39) closes all three of theoutlet-openings. In addition to this means for closure a check-valve41is pro- Videdwithin neck 24, which during use prevents reaction andafter use acts asa stopple, closing automatically and preventing evapovration `of .the medicine.

All parts above air-chamber 9 are prefer- This plate has holescorresponding with the inner terminals ably of hard rubber, with theexception of tubes` 24 33, which should be of rubber having a certaindegree of elasticity sustaining them in their upright position, butpermitting them at the same time to yield for convenient insertion andto accommodate inadvertent movements of the head, preventing alsotransmission of any motions or jars to mouth or nose.

The flange and lugs at the lower end of -tube 19, as well as valve-plate36, may be metal, preferably aluminium. The bellows are inclosed by ametal casing 42, resting on feet 43, and having slots through whichhandles 17 project.

In Fig. 6 the construction is modilied to the extent of chan-ging theposition of the bellows, which is upright, with a space between toreceive air-inlet pipes 44. Valves and all other parts, as to operation,are the same. The bellows are completely incased, the sides 45 of theea'sin g connecting the outer or swinging flap of the bellows, therebycausing them to work together. They are operated by taking the device inhand and alternately pressing first against one side and then againstthe other.

46 are simply braces connecting base-plate 47 with the lower end-of thecylindrical body containing the air and mixing chambers..

To prevent tube 19 from being lifted by the air-pressure, which mightcause it to rattle, a suitable extension 49, and shown in dotted linesin Fig. 1, is provided between the upper end of tube 19 and the top ofchamber 22.

The device is preferably intended, for individual and domestic use, tobe operated without the aid of any machinery, and is thereforeconstructed of a size and weight to permit it to be set upon a tableinfront of the person using it, or it may be held in the hand while thebellows are operated by the thumbs.

Having described my invention, I claim as new- 1. In an air-injector,the combination of an air-chamber, a double-acting air-compressorsupplying it with air in a manner that a continuous current of it iscaused to leave therefrom, a mixing-chamber which the airso compressedis caused to enter and in which it is brought in` contact with certainsubstances which it is adapted to take up, said two chambers connectedby a conduit which has an ascending and descendingv branch andairdischarge pipes having their-outer ends provided with suitablenozzles itted for insertion into the outer openings of the respiratoryducts.

2. In an air-injector, the combination of an air-chamber, adouble-acting air-compressor supplying air in. a manner that acontinuous current of it is caused to leave the former, a distributingchamber receiving the compressed air from the air-chamber irstmentioned, .airldischarge pipes communicating with saiddistributing-chamber and a cut-ctie IOO IIO

device controlling all air-outletsand whereby the air may be entirelycut oft' from the discharge-pipes or be permitted to pass out throughcertain ones only.

3. In an air-injector, the combination of an air-chamber, anair-compressor supplying air to it, a mixing-chamber 22, aconnectingconduit through which it receives the air from theair-chamber, said conduit having an ascending and descending branchwhereby the air is caused to enter the mixing-chamber near the bottomthereof, the outlet thereat being constructed to cause the air todischarge in jets and air-discharge pipes having their outer endsprovided with suitable nozzles adapted for insertion into the parts andopenings where the air is to be applied. i

et. In an air-injector, the combination of an air-chamber, anair-compressor supplying air to it, a mixing-chamber 22, aconnectingconduit through which it receives the air from theair-chamber, which conduit is formed by a tube 18 extending upwardlyfrom the outlet of the air-chamber and atube 19 of larger diameter,closed at its upper end, surrounding tube 18, the air passing up in thelatter and down in the space between the tubes, the outer tube having aiiange 28 around its lower end with downwardly-extending lugs wherebysuch end is elevated to permit the air to pass out, dividing it at thesame time in numerous jets, and air-discharge pipes having their outerends provided with suitable nozzles adapted for insertion into the partsand openings where the air is to be applied.

5. In an air-injector, the combination of an air-compressor, anair-chamber receiving air from it, a mixing-chamber superimposed uponand in communication with the airchamber from which it receives thecompressed air, a distributing-chamber above the mixing-chamber whichreceives the compressed and medicated air after it has passed throughthe two chambers first mentioned, a neck 24C provided with a check-valveconnecting it with the mixing-chamber, air-discharge pipes communicatingwith said distributingchamber and a cut-off device whereby the air maybe entirely cut off from the dischargepipesor be permitted to pass outthrough certain ones only.

6. In an air-injector, the combination of an aircompressor, anair-chamber receiving air from it, a distributing-chamber receiving theair from the air-chamber, air-discharge pipes mounted upon the top ofthe latter and communicating with the interior thereof, apivotally-supported cut-oft' plate with openings controlling the outletfrom the distributing-chamber through said air-discharge pipes andcapable of adjustment to cut oft such outlet entirely or limit it, andstops indicating certain positionsv of said cut-oit plate for certainpurposes.

7. .In an air-injector, the combination of an air-chamber, two bellowsconnected to each other in a manner which causes them to actsimultaneously, one for receiving, the other for discharging air, sothat one is always supplying air to the air-chamber whereby anuninterrupted current is caused to leave the latter, air-conduits 14connecting the bellows with the air-chamber, receiving and dischargevalves for both, a mixing-chamber 22, a connecting-conduit through whichit receives the air from the air-chamber, said conduit having anascending and a descending branch whereby the air is caused to enter themixingchamber near the bottom thereof, the outlet thereat beingconstructed to cause the air to discharge in jets, adistributing-chamber receiving the air from the mixing-chamber, threeair-discharge pipes mounted upon the top of the distributing-chamber andhaving their ends fitted with suitable nozzlesfor application and apivotally-supported cut-off plate with openings controlling the outletfrom the distributing-chamber through said air-discharge pipes andcapable of adjustment to cut off such outlet entirely or limit it, andstops indicating certain positions of said cut-off plate for certainpurposes.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afX my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

BRADFORD` MOGREGOR.

Vitnesses:

CEAS. W. CARTY, ARTHUR KLINE.

